Rumblings...

Rumblings: an early indication or rumor of dissatisfaction or incipient change.

That's what is going on inside of me lately, (the incipient change part) Yet I am so busy that it's there in the background, trying to get my attention... and I wish I could "be still" for it to come to the foreground. This change that is about to happen encompasses our whole lives and right now trying to figure out what steps to take and what to do next is daunting.

Right now we are going forward in the early stages of the plans for the home and the gathering place. Looking at so many home plans can make you delirious, but working through this process is so important to the future our our lives in Colorado.

I was thinking this week about WORDS and talked about that on my last blog post below. I was just talking to Lance about taking some time to think about the words we want our home to embody. It's important to me because I truly believe we are being called to a place that the Lord has established ahead of us and therefore a place that when people come (and we live in daily) it speaks to us... and those who will come and be a part of this with us.

I know GATHER is kind of the "it" word right now. I see it everywhere... on pillows, signs, etc. But when I first felt the Lord directing us to GATHER people, He lead me to Hebrews 10:22-25:

22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts purified from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water;

23 let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering (for he is faithful that promised).

24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto charity and unto good works,

25 not forsaking our gathering together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another and so much the more, when ye see that day approaching.

I love how the Message Bible translates Hebrews 10-:22-25 Listen to this version:

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Let's see how INVENTIVE and ENCOURAGING we can be!

I so adore that. Just like my last post talks about how words can speak life or crush a spirit, I want my home and our Gathering Place to be a place of CREATIVENESS and ENCOURAGEMENT.

Some of the words that are flowing out of these verses and our thought process are:

Inviting

Creative

Fellowship

Rest

Encouragement

Revival

Love

So the question becomes:

How do you go forward in the process of building THESE words into a place that embodies that?? That is what I am trying to figure out and now is the time. When we are in the process of designing WALLS and SPACES and LIGHTING... all of that!

So I want to share with you some of these elements that will make our home (and gathering place eventually) and see what YOU think. If will indulge me a little I want to show you some photos and ask if those words above would intermix with these designs. Sound fun?

When have a vision for our land that goes way beyond our comfort zone as far as design and what we are used to. So when you see these pictures don't FREAK OUT. hahaha

Even though these all have different styles (don't worry about that right now), they all encompass the elements we want:

1. An open floor plan2. Stairs as a design element IN the room3. A loft visible from this "Great Room."

We really think we want the stairs to be a focal point of this part of the home. It shows movement, to me it is inviting you to explore and it certainly is creative!

The next element we really want in our home is a Sun Room. Maybe it's just because we are moving from California where it is currently 80 degrees in February... but we truly want a small space that is off the kitchen that is enclosed but open to view the outdoors and feel like your are almost IN the outdoors...

The first sun room makes my heart go "pitter patter" like nothing else! I fell in LOVE with this picture on Pinterest instantly. I just don't know if Colorado sun will be too strong to have the ceiling like that or version #2 would be better? But oh how I am in love with dreaming about my mornings out here with my bible, Jesus and of course COFFEE... duh

Outdoor space. As you probably have seen, we LOVE our outdoor space... and I've already cried a few times thinking about the day I can no longer be out there in the mornings doing my devotions or the times we have enjoyed with family and friends out there that will forever be treasured. SO... that means we really want to try and create a space outside that is going to be a place for FELLOWSHIP. Yes, the barn will be that as well and so much more. But that may not come for a while and is not where we will live our daily lives.

With the way our home will be set up, there will be a walk out basement below the main level. We are not used to this concept but trying to understand it. What makes sense it to have a deck off the main level (from the kitchen & great room) that will be a place to relax, unwind and enjoy with friends and family. What do you think about these spaces above? I'd love to have a fireplace again outside but now sure it will be a real one or not.

So there's the beginning stages of our home plans.

I'd LOVE to hear what you think and see if you would feel those words I mentioned above in those spaces? You can leave a comment on here or via my contact page.

I'll share more next week of the kitchen and other areas, but that great room/open floor plan is where we want to put the most thought in and create a beautiful place for life with our family and friends.

Have a GREAT weekend,

Laura

Oh and if you want to see more of what we are thinking about, you can follow me on Pinterest at Laura McCollough and go to my Laura's Wish List for Colorado.